Page 143 of Awakened Desires

“More than words can express.” Rory threads his fingers through mine and squeezes my hand. “I can agree. Callan is amazing.”

My cheeks heat up. I look into his eyes. “So are you.”

Niamh sniffs.

I snap my head around to look at her. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Not really. I was thinking that you never looked at me like that. You love each other. I hope the three of you will be happy together.”

“I—” My breath catches in my throat again.

“We will be,” Rory says, and my heart melts.

We chat for a while longer until Aidan falls asleep.

“Don’t forget to tell me when to meet Beau with you,” Niamh says as she stands and puts her coat on.

“I won’t.”

She puts her hand on my cheek. “Take care. Look after Aidan.”

“I will.”

She leans down and kisses my forehead. “You’re an amazing dad.” Then she leaves.

I watch until she’s out of sight, blinking slowly as I cuddle Aidan in my arms.

“A family,” I whisper. “You’re sure that’s what you want?”

He laughs. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“I’m sorry. Everything seems too good to be true right now. You, Aidan…I’m not normally this lucky, Rory.”

“You will be from now on,” he promises. “I’ll make sure of it.” He kisses me softly on the lips. “I love you, Cal. I love Aidan. I know we’re going to be happy together.”

I grin so wide my cheeks ache.

“We should think about the future,” Rory says.

“The future?”

“Aye. Do you want to keep living in the shared house?”

I shrug. “I know it was meant to be a stopgap, but your housemates are amazing.”

“Our housemates.”

I crack a smile. “That too.” I stare at Aidan. “But maybe we should get a place of our own. I’ll need transport to make a go of working for myself, but there’s no parking around your house.” I chuckle when Rory gives me a mock reprimanding look. “Our house.”

“Would you mind living a bit farther out?”

I shake my head. “No, but it’ll be harder for you to get to and from work.”

Rory waves his hand. “It’s no bother. I can always look for a job closer to home. There are plenty of pubs.”

“We should get a place with a garden big enough for a shed.”

Rory frowns. “Why?”